Mixed response to Modi’s address

The nation witnessed a mixed response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement on Wednesday. While congratulating the stakeholders in the “latest achievement,” Congress reminded that Jawaharlal Nehru government established ISRO and DRDO.

“.@DRDO_India set up in 1958 under Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru was the first govt. agency to begin defence research & development. It has played a pivotal role in equipping our defence forces with the latest technological developments,” Congress tweeted.

Rahul Gandhi wished Modi “a very happy World Theatre Day” on Twitter.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee also criticised Modi. “Today’s announcement is yet another limitless drama and publicity mongering by Modi desperately trying to reap political benefits at the time of [the] election. This is a gross violation of Model Code of Conduct,” she tweeted.

Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel claimed that Congress initiated the project. “The UPA government had initiated the ASAT program which has reached fruition today I congratulate our space scientists & the visionary leadership of Dr Manmohan Singh,” he tweeted.

CPIM general secretary Sitaram Yechuri alleged that Modi’s address is a violation of Model Code of Conduct. In a letter to the CEO, Yechuri asked: “I would like to know that if the Election Commission was informed of such an address to the nation by the Prime Minister and did the Election Commission consider and permit such an address to the nation by the Prime Minister?.”